Mashed Potatoes; Easy And Delicious Side Dish For Generations
Almost every household in nearly every country knows the delights of mashed potatoes. They may be called something different but they are still that creamy, luscious mounds of goodness that is very popular during Thanksgiving or any other time of the year. In the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind mashed potatoes were a major part of the plot and they are definitely a major part of dinner. The definition of mashed potatoes is creamy, buttery and fluffy potatoes but in some places they are lumpy and still very good.
Mashed potatoes can be simple with just a bit of butter, milk, salt and pepper added or they can be a little more complicated with garlic, green onions, or cheese added. Some recipes get very complicated adding a variety of other vegetables, meat product like bacon, and gourmet cheese and then they are baked again making the twice baked potato that is actually mashed potatoes heated up twice.
Instant potatoes are available in the stores and although they may not be as good as real ones, they are convenient. They were patented by a Canadian scientist named Edward Asselbergs in’62. The dehydrating processes needed to make instant potatoes was invented by him and overshadowed earlier methods invented in’12 and’54. We have that choice of instant potatoes or we can just get tubs of mashed potatoes that only have to be reheated in the microwave.
Just mashing a potato after it has been boiled is good enough for some people. Those same people seem to think that putting potatoes in a mixer and whipping them up ruins them by releasing the starch and making them sticky, but most people like those sticky potatoes like their mothers’ made them. Methods of making mashed potatoes vary from boiling and mashing with a wire masher to baking potatoes in the oven and whipping them with an electric mixer. In the past a ricer has been used to make smooth potatoes. This is a large metal basket with holes in it with a handle attached to a blade that scrapes the inside of the basket. You put the potatoes in and turn the handle and the potato is crushed inside and comes out the holes. These potato threads make a satiny textured mashed potato with some butter and milk added.
Use russet, Idaho or Yukon Gold potatoes to get the best results when mashing them. To make a simple mashed potato boil two and half pounds of peeled chunked potatoes in 4 quarters of water. After they start to boil just reduce the heat and let them simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until they seem soft when poked with a fork. Drain the potatoes and put them in a bowl and mash them with a wire masher or put them in a mixer bowl and beat them for a few minutes. Add one fourth cup of milk, one fourth cup of butter, one half teaspoon salt and one half teaspoon pepper and mix well. This will feed 6 people
Try this more complicated method of making mashed potatoes if you are in the mood for something different using cheese and sour cream. Ingredients include 8 to 10 potatoes that have been peeled and cut in chunks measuring about 3 pounds, eight ounce package of cream cheese that has come to room temperature, half of a sixteen ounce tub of sour cream, six tablespoons of butter, one fourth teaspoon of garlic salt, one fourth teaspoon of pepper and one half cup of Cheddar cheese that has been shredded. Place the potatoes in a large pan and cover them with water. Bring them to a boil then simmer for about 20 minutes or until the potato is soft when pierced with a fork. Drain them well and put them in the bowl to your mixer. Add the cream cheese, sour cream, and butter and mix on high. Add the garlic salt and pepper and mix very well until a light and fluffy consistency. You have the choice to add the Cheddar and whip it in or just sprinkle it over top and let it melt over the mashed potatoes.
Wire mashers should be used in an up and down motion instead of side to side so that the integrity of the cells stay in tact and the potatoes do not become starchy. Always add softened butter rather than throwing in a cold, hard chunk of butter that may not get mixed in well. You can warm your milk before adding to keep the potatoes warm and make a creamy consistency. Do not let the milk boil though. Use chicken broth instead of milk as this will give them a heartier taste but make sure to test before adding salt since there is salt in the broth.
Mashed potatoes are great for a side dish with dinner and your family will just love having them. Add in bacon, chives, onions, and other things to give them more interest or just serve them plain. Use butter, sour cream or a little cheese to give them some vitality or you can top them with gravy. One guarantee, there probably will not be any left after dinner is over.
Ben likes his potatoes mashed. So if you need some delicious recipes for mashed potatoes visit his website that is full of different recipes. He specially recommends his healthy mashed potatoes recipe
